Dalea purpurea ‘Stephanie’ – Purple Prairie Clover- 1.25 Quart

Important in Tallgrass Prairies for its ability to fix nitrogen, just like the non-native clovers used in agriculture. And just like those clovers this plant is very attractive to bees – mostly natives, but also honeybees. The plant forms a vase-shaped clump of attractive ferny foliage that is adorned from every tip with tight, cylindrical heads of tiny flowers. Like many legumes this plant has a tap root which makes it drought tolerant, but that also means it puts a lot of energy into its root system before it commences flowering. So young plants may be shy at flowering – give the plant time and it will be an interesting and showy addition to a meadow garden or flower border.

‘Stephanie’ was selected at the University of Nebraska in 2003 for shorter stature, darker green foliage and increased flowering.